Cowley House of Hope

04/23/2026

Emergency Shelter Tips – Be Ready, Stay Safe

Do you know where your nearest storm shelter is? In severe weather, every second counts.

✅ When to Go to a Shelter:
Go before the sirens sound — don’t wait!
Head to shelter at a reasonable time prior to the storm impacting your location.
Never drive during a storm — plan to be in a safe place early.

✅ Plan Ahead:
Know multiple routes to your shelter — roads may be blocked or flooded.
Know multiple shelter locations — like ones closest to work, school, or a friend’s house — in case a storm hits when you're not at home.
Make a family plan and practice it.
Keep a go-bag ready with essentials (ID, meds, flashlight, etc.)

💡Preparedness Challenge: Several public shelters have social media pages and could potentially update when their shelter is opened for citizens. Check out their social media pages and give them a follow. NOTE: Cowley County Emergency Services cannot guarantee the continued validity of the above information or that there will be social posts made during severe weather. For specific questions about a shelter, contact the facility at the number provided.

04/16/2026

03/31/2026

There are chances of severe weather the rest of this week. Please make sure you have a plan for any incoming weather. Check on your friends and neighbors.

Chances for showers and thunderstorms are expected to increase across central and eastern Kansas Tuesday evening and night. Widespread severe weather is unlikely.

01/26/2026

“This community is incredible. During the winter storm over the weekend, we were able to come together. Ivy and all of her angels in Ark City were working tirelessly to help anyone in need. And in Winfield, the Cowley House of Hope and several churches stepped up. The shelter was full, volunteers were doing what they could, and several people were temporarily housed in motels.

The most beautiful thing, though, was the impromptu creation of an emergency 'warming shelter'. HofH volunteers and First UMC, in communication with Winfield city manager and Cowley County emergency services, frantically arranged to open the church Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 6pm to provide shelter from the freeze, some hot drinks, and community.

Volunteers were quickly recruited from several different churches, friends, and SC students for each 2 hour shift. One volunteer even brought some colorful, warm gloves/scarves/a jacket. Pumpkin bread and donuts and cocoa and marshmallows appeared. It was out on social media like lightning.

We didn't know what the results would be, and no one wound up coming in, but we all decided that was a good thing. We made a safe community space, we can improve, and there was no loss of life!”

01/24/2026

If you feel called to donate, the need is overwhelming right now. We are 100% donation funded and 100% volunteer ran. Every penny helps us help our community. Thank you.

The Cowley House of Hope is a nonprofit organization that is working to provide a safe, warm place for the homeless of Cowely County to spend the night. No amount is too small!

01/24/2026

Our Warming Center in partnership with First United Methodist Church is open and serving our community. We hope everyone stays warm and safe this weekend!

01/24/2026

We are so excited to announce a collaboration with Winfield's First United Methodist Church! Starting at 8am tomorrow until 6pm tomorrow and again on Sunday at the First United Methodist Church we will have a Warming Center open, staffed with volunteers. Please spread the word so we can give people who may lose power or may have nowhere else to go somewhere safe and warm to go during the daytime. The church will have coffee, tea and water available.
If you know someone who will be without power or somewhere safe and warm to go during the night, please reach out to the volunteers at the warming center or call Cowley House of Hope at 620-983-6464 or contact us on our Facebook messenger.

01/22/2026

🌨Community Alert! 🌨

With the incoming winter storm fast approaching, many local organizations are coming together to ensure everyone has a safe place to stay warm. Cowley House of Hope, Angels in the Attic, Inc., Cowley County Emergency Services, and many local churches are working tirelessly to prepare.

These efforts require funding to make a real impact. If you are able, please consider supporting these amazing organizations or your favorite local charity.

"The answer to poverty is not wealth, but community."
- Unknown

01/22/2026

We encourage everyone to make a plan with the extreme weather coming. Pipes will freeze, heaters will go out, accidents will happen, humans sleeping on the streets will die. Check on your neighbors, check on the elderly and disabled. Check on those less fortunate than you. Get a few extra groceries if you can in case someone needs something you may have- but dont buy everything. We at the House of Hope will do what we can do house as many people as we can. We have been checking on the known unhoused and encouraging them to let us help them. Please stay safe and stay warm.

12/19/2025

We would like the community's input! Please take this quick survey and share it so others can answer the questions too. Thank you for your feedback!

12/16/2025

DCF has been notified that federal funding was approved for the 2026 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) season. LIEAP helps eligible Kansas households pay a portion of their primary home heating costs during the winter season with a one-time per year benefit.

Applications will NOT be accepted until 8 a.m. on Jan. 20, 2026, and must be received by DCF by 5 p.m. on March 31, 2026.

Learn more about LIEAP at LIEAP.dcf.ks.gov.